Friday, March 28, 2014

Stretch marks? Yes, I now have light yellow ones at the bottom of my stomach

Sleep: My sleep is pretty good! I loved sleeping on my stomach but now it's so uncomfortable, so I started sleeping on my right side which was feeling amazing. BUT now every single night for the past 2 weeks my breast have been extremely tender and sore so now I've been sleeping on my back. Now that I sleep on my back my sleep has been pretty good.

Best Moment this week: On Wednesday DJ had the day off and my stepdad wanted to take the family and kids to chuck E Cheese, so DJ, Baby E and I got to tag along it was alot of fun.

Thoughts: This week I'm 11 weeks and Baby E is the size of lime. Our baby is 1 1/2 inches and is now fully formed. He/She will soon open and close it's hands into a fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and most of the bones are beginning to form. Hearing this just makes my heart happy to know that God is forming a miracle inside of me and my baby is developing fast. I still won't feel the baby until another month or two but I'm so excited and ready. I'm excited and so ready to see the baby at our first sonogram appointment. However this pregnancy acne is driving me crazy! My face broke out so bad last week and continues to get worse and worse. I found out it's from my hormones and that when my hormones get back to normal my skin will be too and the acne will go away, but it's driving me crazy because I want my face to match my mood. I'm so happy and always in a good mood and I want my skin to reflect that. I didn't get a picture of my baby bump this week DJ was at work when I did it and I had no one to take my picture. I need to start doing my chalkboard tracker when DJ's off work.

Monday, March 24, 2014

I have no idea why I'm so happy! It's Monday and usually on Mondays I just want to stay in bed, but I woke up feeling amazing today!

I love to smile and I have a huge smile on my face today.

I wanted to share my last week in photos with you guys!

My week pretty much consist of fruit! Lol I've been craving and eating fruit like crazy and loving every minute of it! I've always loved fruit but now I wanted it like 100 times more.

My Aunite Karen made some Blueberries dumplings and put some blackberries in it as well and it literally hit the spot!

Delicious!

Not only have I been eating a ton of fruit but I've been eating a tons of veggies too!

chicken, veggies, and rice

salad with cherry tomatoes and avocado

Saturday everyone had to work so I got to spend the day with Princess. So the entire Morning and afternoon it was just me and her bonding. I glad we got to spend this time together because she's getting better and better with the fact that her Tee Tee Mama and Uncle BJ are having a baby.

At first she was not too happy and told us we can't have a baby, but now she's coming around more to the idea.

We went outside for a little walk, well I was the only one walking. Then we went inside watched movies, she did my nails and hair, and we played Uno cards. Then when her friends came outside she ditched me, but by this time I was a tired Auntie so I needed a little rest.

DJ is so excited were having a baby. He rubs my belly day and can't wait until it gets bigger. It's so cute the baby can't hear yet but DJ still talks to my belly.

I can still see my feet! Lol I can't wait until my baby bump gets bigger.

Then on Sunday I got to go to Church with this cutie!

God is Good and I'm so happy and thankful for the people and blessings he's placed in my life!

Friday, March 21, 2014

About a year ago I made a tulle tutu table skirt for my niece's Tinkerbell party and I posted it on my here on my blog. The post did so great and it is still doing great! To my surprise I got over 1067 views on and it and I never ever thought something I made for my niece's birthday would get so many views. I didn't do a step by step tutorial on it before, I just briefly showed some photos of it and then explained how long it took me to make.

So today I'm sharing how you can create a tutu table skirt for your parties!

I said I would never make another one because it took so long to make but to my surprise I made another one for my Valentine's day party!

I must admit their so pretty and always look amazing on the table so I couldn't resist.

Here's the first tutu table skirt I made last year:

Here is the second tutu table skirt I made for Valentine's:

Material You will need:

2 2/3 yards of Fabric or you can purchase a Tablecloth

22-24 yards of Tulle

3-6 yards of Ribbon

Stretch elastic

Fabri-Tac adhesive

straight pins

Directions:

1. First your going to take your fabric/tablecloth and lay it on the table.

2. secondly take your ribbon and measure it around the entire table, then pin it to the fabric or tablecloth

2. After you measured out enough elastic, take your tulle and start to cut in into stripes. For my lime tutu table skirt I cut my tulle stripes really small but for the black one I cut them very large.

3. After all my tulle strips are cut I began looping each one onto the elastic.

4. I fold the stripe of tulle in half then place the loop over and behind the elastic.

5. Then take the tulle and place the tail in the loop.

6. Pull the tulle until it looks like a tie, with the knot in front.

7. Continue all the way across the ribbon until you have all 3 sides finished!

8. I also take ribbon and glued it on top of tulle to give it a cleaner look.

I found a really great picture tutorial here on Catch my Party and that's how I first learned how to creative my very own tulle tutu table skirts.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Right now I am 10 weeks and our little one is still growing and making me very sleepy! Lol :0)

Right now our baby is the size of prune. Baby E bones and arm joints are forming. They say there's kicking and movement going on in there but I can't feel anything just yet!

The whole idea is still surreal for both DJ and I. Everyday we are watching my belly just waiting for it to start growing. At this point I can't believe how sleepy and exhausted I get. Last Monday and Tuesday napping was my favorite thing to do, but by Wednesday I got a burst of energy and I made DJ breakfast, cleaned my entire home, started prepping dinner, worked alittle on the Spring baby shower, and even helped Princess with her homework. I couldn't believe how energized I was but I was happy to be back to my old self.

Here's my bump this week!

How far along are you? 10 weeks

How big is your baby? the size of a prune

Total weight gain: None

Stretch marks? No

Symptoms? Besides from being exhausted from time to time I feel really good!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Not only did I have energy Wednesday but Friday I woke up with so much energy as well!!! It feels so good to not feel sleepy all day. Friday morning I woke up, had quiet time, took a hot shower, and actually did my makeup. It felt good to put on alittle makeup and feel pretty. Me, Mom, Auntie and my sissys all headed out to Ikea. We went to Ikea to get some frame for my Gender Reveal party! Yes, were already planing my Gender reveal party!

"Hi, my name is Keisha. I'm addicted to parties."

No, but really in 2 months we find out the sex of the baby and my family and friends are so excited they keep asking me, when is the baby shower? and what's the sex? So I thought to answer everyone's questions I'm just going to throw a huge Gender reveal party.

After we came from Ikea we stopped by the strawberry patch! Heaven! Lol Lately I've been craving nothing but fruit. I could eat fruit for every meal. I've been munching on oranges, pears, nectarines, and strawberries.

For the past 2 years I've been seeing these Pregnancy chalkboard trackers everywhere and I said to myself when that day comes I'm definitely going to make one! Well that day has come!

I really wanted to document my growing bump each week and this is the perfect way how!

I was so excited Friday I made my first Dr's appointment for Monday and I can't wait to hear the baby E's heartbeat. After I made my Dr's appointment my Mom and I headed to Hobby Lobby so that I could get the items I needed. Saturday morning I went to Church for Women's Ministry then after Church I got started on my chalkboard.

Materials I used:

Chalkboard

White Spray Paint

Crayola Chalk

The chalkboard was $7.99 and it was on sale for 30% off then to top it off the white spray paint was only $3.00 and I had a 40% off coupon so I only paid around $5 for the chalkboard and $1 for the spray paint. Then I purchase Crayola Chalk from Walmart for only $2.97. I love when a DIY project doesn't break the bank and is budget friendly! I spent under $11. The chalkboard had a wood frame and I didn't too much like that so I spray painted it white.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

I absolutely Loved this pasta dish! Not only did it only have 4 ingredients but it cooks itself!

All I did was put it into the crockpot for 3 hours and Voila!

You have Baked Pasta!

This recipe is becoming a family favorite! My mom made it first then I did, then Auntie and my Aunt Tonia made it as well.

What you need:

1 lb of Rigatoni pasta

2 jars of Spaghetti sauce

1 lb bag of frozen Meatballs

2 cups Shredded Mozzarella cheese

What to do:

1. Add 1/2 of the jar of Spaghetti sauce to the bottom of the crockpot

2. Add 1/2 of Pasta

3. Add 1/2 of Meatballs

4. Add 1/2 of Spaghetti sauce on top of Meatballs

5. Add 1 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese

6. Add the remaining Pasta and the remaining Meatballs

7. Add the remaining Spaghetti sauce and then the Mozzarella cheese

8. Cook on High for 3-4 hours

FYI

the recipe calls for 2 jars of spaghetti sauce but the pasta was beyond dry when my mom made it so I used 3 jars of spaghetti sauce and it was perfect!! Another thing the recipe said you don't have to cook the pasta before hand, it stated you just have to rinse it with warm water and add to the crockpot but from my mom and my experience we did that and some of the pasta was not fully cooked. I recommend cooking the pasta first in a pot then transferring it over into the crockpot.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

I never thought I would say, "I'm 9 weeks pregnant". I'm smiling from ear to ear just saying it! :0)

I'm so happy to say were having our 1st baby and our little miracle is due around October 10, 2014. I will be tracking my pregnancy and updating monthly/weekly to show my growing bump. I'm so excited!!!

Right now I'm currently 9 weeks and our baby is the size of an Olive!

Not only is the baby the size of an Olive but it has eyelids, fingers, and toes and it's no longer considered a fetus anymore it's an embryo.

I've been seeing all over Pinterest Pregnancy Chalkboard trackers and I really want to create one so this weekend that's one of the projects on the top of my list. So for right now I don't have a chalkboard or my baby bump just yet but I will very soon.

How far along are you? 9 weeks

Total weight gain: 5 pounds {I gained 5 pounds in February I was 192 and now I'm 197}

Stretch marks? No

Favorite Moment this week: Hearing the words your pregnant from the Dr's. and telling my family

Anything making you queasy or sick? I just found out I've been pregnant since January but I didn't feel any sickness, no morning sickness or anything but I was feeling really tired. Right now at this point I'm HAPPY!

Have you started to show yet? Slightly! I can't wait to have a baby bump!

Gender: We have no idea!

Belly button in or out? In

Now that I know I'm pregnant I definitely plan on eating wayyyyy better. I still have a ton of food aka Junk food in my house but in 2 weeks I'm going grocery shopping and starting over because I don't want to gain too much weight and be too overweight.

Thank you for joining this journey with me and for all your support words and prayers!

After trying for 3 years, DJ and I are happy to say we are PREGNANT!!!!

I can't stand the "S" word! I hate being sick and last week I got sick. Every year in December or January I get sick and stay sick for a very long time. Runny nose, sore throat... I get the whole sha-bang!! While this year I was so proud of myself I took vitamins and drank Orange juice and hot tea every night because I was determined not to get sick!! December ended and I didn't get sick. Yayy! And when January started approaching I still didn't get sick. I was so happy I made it 2 months straight without getting sick, then February came and I still didn't get sick I was so happy. Then BAM!! February 26 Wednesday night I thought I was getting the flu. I had night sweats all night, I had a fever, I couldn't sleep all night, waking up every 2 hours, and my back, breast, and stomach hurt so bad!

I was crying because I thought I had got sick and got the flu. Then the next morning everything was fine! What!?!? I was so confused because I didn't know what was going on with my body. I was sick the night before and now I was fine. I told my Mom, Aunt, Sister and Grandma what happened and they all instantly said I was pregnant!

Pregnant???

DJ and I have been trying to have a baby for 3 years now with no luck. This year we made a decision to just give it to God. In January we started praying a prayer a pregnancy prayer and everyday DJ would place his hands on my stomach and say "Thank you God for our perfect child".

DJ and my family kept telling me I was pregnant and I needed to take a test. I don't know why I wasn't convince. Saturday night I took 2 pregnancy test and the positive symbol was looking odd. It had a dark vertical line but the horizontal line was faint. We decided to Google it and ept stated that even if the horizontal line is faint it still means it's a Positive!

Even after reading it we still weren't convinced. The next day, Sunday, after Church we went to buy a digital home test. After taking the test, it literally took 1 minutes and Pregnant popped up!!!

PREGNANT!!!!!

We started jumping up and down screaming and crying saying, Thank you God!

yes, I took 4 test!! I had to make sure!

After seeing this I was shaking with excitement! After hearing DJ say; "baby I told you, you were Pregnant" was the best thing I ever heard. Some of you may know how I feel the desire to one day starting a family and longing to see a positive sign!

The next day I immediately went to the Dr's office to get it confirmed for sure! At the Dr's. they told me I was 9 weeks!!!! WHAT!?!

9 weeks... so you mean to tell me I've been pregnant since January and I didn't even know it! Wow! Just look at how God works me and DJ have been praying for a baby and speaking and laying hands on my stomach everyday and just a couple of weeks ago I shared our story about how hard it's been to conceive, then He blesses us with a Miracle!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

With today being Fat Tuesday and tomorrow Mardi Gars I decided to share my Beignets recipe with you! Who doesn't love Beignets? There so warm, soft, and oh so sweet! And with Mardi Gras just around the corner in a couple of minutes I wanted to share an easy way you can enjoy some Louisiana Beignets. Last year for my family Mardi Gras party I made 60 of these little bad boys, well little is not the right word. I actually made them pretty big. I''m not a fan of yeast or making anything from starch I'm a semi-homemade kinda girl,so when I was asked to make Beignets I knew I was going to make a cheater version. As ya'll know when I make donuts I usually cut the Grand Biscuits into fours and they come out like small donut holes but since I was making my beignets with biscuits I wanted them to look close as possible to an actual beignet. I already had the taste down because they take scrumptious, but I need to work on the look. I took each Grand biscuit and cut it in half. Each can of biscuit comes with 8 biscuits then when you cut them in half it becomes 16 biscuits. So you can make 1 can or more. I have a big family so I had to use 4 cans.

Ingredients:

1 can of Grand Biscuits

Powder Sugar

Canola Oil {for frying}

Paper towels

2 plates

Directions:

1. In a large frying pan place in the oil and let the oil heat up. Take 2 plates and place paper towels over one and pour powder sugar on the other.

2. Cut each biscuit in half. so each biscuit becomes two.

3. Then take each half and I wanted to create the square look a beignets has so I tugged and pulled out the edges, so they were no longer round.

4. The oil should be nice and hot so begin placing the biscuits in the oil. They cook very fast so make sure your rotating them on each side. They usually take less than 3 minutes to cook.

5. After there done frying place them on the paper towel plate.

6. Let them cool and let the oil drain off for a few minutes then place them in the powder sugar plate. Roll them around until there fully coated with powder sugar.

Now your all done! You can munch on them after dinner with a yummy latte or Hot chocolate or you can even eat them throughout the day! :0)